Graduate Business

Step 1: Apply For Admission

Complete the Online Application »

A personal statement is required. Using your best writing skills, you will explain in 250-500 words your long-term education and career goals, stating any areas of specific interest and experience that may be relevant to your graduate program.

Step 2: Get Your Transcript(s)

Applicants must contact all colleges and universities previously attended to request that official transcripts be sent directly to the USF Admissions Office. Faxes are not considered official transcripts. 

Step 3: Connect With Us

Applicants are encouraged to call or email the MBA office at any time throughout the application process. You are also welcome to contact the MBA staff for a campus visit. Once your completed application materials are received, the admissions committee will review them. You may be asked to interview with a graduate faculty member as part of the application review process. You will be notified of the committee's decision in a timely manner.

Step 4: Make Financial Arrangements

View the Financial Aid Checklist

Admission to the MBA program is competitive. Prospective students should consider their previous academic experiences, work experiences and maturity when assessing their readiness for graduate-level work.

Provisional admission may be granted to applicants if they have not completed the following course prerequisites: accounting, microeconomics, and statistics, or if their undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0.

If an applicant’s undergraduate degree was not in business, you can take self-paced, affordable classes offered by USF. You can begin the MBA Program before completing these classes. Call us at 605-331-6600 to discuss options.

If an applicant's GPA is less than 3.0 in undergraduate work, a typed statement must be submitted to the MBA director which addresses the circumstances that affected previous academic experiences, the student's maturity level and other circumstances under which the student may be deemed capable of high-quality graduate study. (If the GMAT has been taken, scores may be submitted to demonstrate support for current aptitude for graduate work.) Provisionally-admitted candidates must maintain a GPA 3.0 or greater during their first three MBA courses and complete the competency course requirement(s) before enrolling in the MBA core courses in these subjects. International students are required to complete the TOEFL with a minimum score of 75 and a minimum IELTS score of 6. 

In addition to demonstrating competency in the courses described above, students are also expected to be proficient in the use of Microsoft application software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Students are expected to demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, critical thinking abilities and analytic skills. Furthermore, students will be expected to demonstrate leadership and collaboration skills in a wide range of team-based projects.